Southlake senior wants to start anti-racism club but can’t find a teacher to advise group
A senior at Southlake Carroll High School wants to form an anti-racism club for students who need a “safe space” but he can’t find a teacher to advise the group.
Brady Golomb, 18, told the Star-Telegram that the idea for the organization started with the student-led Southlake Anti-Racism Coalition that formed in 2021 in response to groups that called for the dismantling a proposed district diversity plan.
Golomb, a cross country runner who came to Southlake from Chicago when he was in the fourth grade, said he wants to use his voice and his “privilege” to help students who are afraid to speak openly about discrimination and bullying.
He said there are approximately 45 students who want to form the group. The club is not just for people of color. LGBTQ and transgender students are also welcome, he said.
The Department of Education Office on Civil Rights is investigating seven complaints against the Carroll school district concerning discrimination and retaliation on the basis of race, disability and sex. Another one, filed by parents who said the district did not provide required nursing services for their son, was dismissed by the Education Department.
“I’m done being silent. I want to do my best to be a student voice,” Golomb said.
Golomb said he spoke to principal Ryan Wilson at the end of last school year and again when school started in August about sponsoring the club.
The school district did not respond to emailed questions concerning the status of the anti-racism club and whether there are plans to find an adviser.
Golomb said he is concerned that since employment contracts include a non-disparagement clause, teachers won’t want to risk losing their jobs. Contracts also prohibit teachers from criticizing the school district in the news media.
Golomb said he was told that his group could combine with other student organizations such as the Persian Club or South Asian Club but he rejected that idea.
“That’s not the purpose of our club,” he said.
Golomb said he took his concerns to the school board in August when it voted to change the Student Code of Conduct to remove references to sexual orientation and transgender. The references were also removed from the district’s nondiscrimination statement.
District officials said the protections are still in place because they follow Title IX guidelines, and sexual orientation is covered under sexual harassment protections.
Golomb said his goal is to become an engineer and to focus on robotics, but he will continue his advocacy work.
”I’m still going to stand up and fight for the people who are marginalized. I’m never going to stop fighting for what’s right,” he said.
